a calorie is a calorie...or is it?

2»

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    You are incorrect.

    As far as losing weight, food type does not matter.

    As far as gaining weight, food type does not matter.

    What you think that if you eat a big calorie surplus over your maintenance of vegetables and whole grains that you won't get fat? You're wrong. Just because you eat HEALTHY food doesn't mean much in regards to losing or gaining. It matters for overall health but thats not the same thing as losing and/or gaining weight.

    In regards to losing weight your body does not understand the difference between:

    2 slices of pepperoni pizza

    and

    6oz chicken breast, 2 cups of brown rice, 1 cup of vegetables

    Your body understands macro and micronutrients and calorie intake versus TDEE.

    Oh and allow me to post this (I love posting facts and/or studies by NIH):



    Tip: When trying to lose weight, you can still eat your favorite foods—as long as you pay attention to the total number of calories that you eat.
    This is correct.
  • aj_rock
    aj_rock Posts: 390 Member
    I saw a documentary once about overweight people from the UK.

    One overweight woman was interviewed, saying she couldn't lose weight despite eating healthy foods like fruit salad and cottage cheese.

    Turns out her bowl of fruit salad was bigger than a punch bowl!

    At the same time, she definately reported feeling less hungry eating lots of fruit instead of eating lots of chocolate!

    Just some anecdotal evidence! A calorie is a calorie, but some foods will affect you indirectly!
  • missb92
    missb92 Posts: 200 Member
    Yes, technically a calorie is a calorie and as long as you stay within your limits you will definitely lose weight. BUT..... and there is always a but... if you stick to a diet of junk food and still remain within that 1200 cals your not going to be getting enough good nutrients. For example if you go for a mcdonalds, get a burger, fries and a mcflurry... thats more or less your calories gone for the day. Whereas if you had cereal for breakfast, salad for lunch and fish for dinner you would feel 10 times fuller and more satisfied. But when it all comes down to it weight loss is about calories in vs. calories out!!
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    A calorie is a calorie as far as weight loss goes.

    You can eat 2000 calories of the most healthy food or 2000 calories of twinkies, it matters not.

    Some exceptions for those with medical conditions, but for most people a calories is a calorie for weight loss.

    Now, if you are looking to build muscle, be healthy, or are a performance athlete, then the contents of the calories does matter. Also, the more lean you get the more it matters.
  • kochany
    kochany Posts: 32

    You can eat 2000 calories of the most healthy food or 2000 calories of twinkies, it matters not.

    I'd like to see you live on twinkies, and tell us how you feel.

    I agree with whole eat less for loss and more for gain, but it can not be said that it doesn't matter what u eat.
    Do you remember "Supersize ME", yes he gained weight but his system was out of wacko eating junk, loosing weight is not just about calories its about food you eat and we cannot forget about it. You are what you eat. Just because you lose weight doesnt mean you are healthy. Isn't that the major reason ppl want to lose weight ?
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member

    You can eat 2000 calories of the most healthy food or 2000 calories of twinkies, it matters not.

    I'd like to see you live on twinkies, and tell us how you feel.

    I agree with whole eat less for loss and more for gain, but it can not be said that it doesn't matter what u eat.
    Do you remember "Supersize ME", yes he gained weight but his system was out of wacko eating junk, loosing weight is not just about calories its about food you eat and we cannot forget about it. You are what you eat. Just because you lose weight doesnt mean you are healthy. Isn't that the major reason ppl want to lose weight ?

    Thats not what the topic was about. It was about "a calorie is a calorie...or is it?"

    It's obvious people want to be healthy at the same time, but when people ask questions or make statements about how it makes a difference to eat clean foods over any type of food to lose weight, then thats where the discussion heats up at. :)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories